Aligning and squaring tool apparatus and method of use

ABSTRACT

The invention pertains to a tooling apparatus that facilitates the positioning of a work piece in a particular angular configuration with respect to a longitudinal axis of the securing surface. The tooling apparatus comprises a substantially rectangular body having a one or more steps embedded along the length of an inner facing surface. In practice, the present invention tooling apparatuses mounted typically to the hard jaw of a machining vice. The present invention apparatus body can be manufactured from a variety of metallic or polymeric materials. If there are more than one step, then the steps are arranged to be a fixed distance between each step. The tooling apparatus haves the function to facilitate the mounting of work pieces in a vice for performing precise milling, grinding cuts or drilling operations ninety degrees perpendicular to the longitudinal or horizontal axis of a machining vice.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to milling machines for machining metallic and polymeric work-pieces. More specifically, the present invention relates to positioning an axis of a raw work-piece in a particular alignment with respect to a fixed support and achieve, with a high degree of precision, square machined cuts of a work-piece.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Metallic and polymeric work pieces are typically machined from metal plate stock or polymeric block stock that needs to be machined at various angles over various surfaces to achieve desired configurations. It is very common to mill or grind several cuts at a ninety degree angle to the clamped surface or to mill or grind a cut at a right angle to the horizontal surface. In order to mill or grind at a ninety degree angle to the clamped surface, or to mill or grind at a right angle to the horizontal surface, a practitioner must employ a series of clamps and blocks, position these and generally secure these components in a vice to support the work piece in a certain configuration for engaging the mill cutting head. In actual practice, the practitioner generally uses a vertically moveable quill mounted with a dial indicator to verify that the mounted stock's sides are appropriately straight and vertical according the required specifications. The quill is moved up and down across of one or both of the sides to verify that the machined cut on the top surface will be square. After a first surface is machined, the work piece, and any necessary clamp and block components must be reposition and securely clamped in the vice. The process may be repeated many times, depending on the complexity of the milling proves. The process can be tedious and cumbersome, which results in longer production times, increase the expense of manufacturing parts, and potentially affects overall quality.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention pertains to a tooling apparatus that facilitates the positioning of work pieces in a particular angular configuration with respect to a longitudinal axis of the securing surface. The tooling apparatus comprises a substantially rectangular body having a series of steps embedded along the entire length of an inner surface. In practice, two opposing present invention tooling apparatuses are mounted in a vice having the series of steps facing each other. The apparatus body can be manufactured from a variety of metallic or polymeric materials. The series of steps are arranged to be a fixed distance between each step. Also, the series of steps have a fixed cut depth for each fixed distance between each step. The tooling apparatus has the function to facilitate the mounting of work pieces in a vice for performing milling or grinding cuts ninety degrees perpendicular to the longitudinal or horizontal axis of said vice.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a pictorial view of the current technology for aligning and squaring block stock using a quill and a dial indicator.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the present invention mounted in typical vise on the hard jaw for the practice of locating one side of the work piece in preparation for creating a perpendicular edge to that side.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the present invention showing the squaring and aligning means on the right side.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the present invention showing the squaring and aligning means on the left side.

FIG. 5 is a side view of the present invention showing the squaring and aligning means on both the left and the right side.

FIG. 6 is a top view showing the detail of the present invention with a series of squaring and aligning steps.

FIG. 7 is a front view showing the detail of the present invention with a series of squaring and aligning steps.

FIG. 8 is a detailed side end view showing the present invention with a series of squaring and aligning steps.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIEMENTS

Metallic and polymeric work pieces and block stock 30 are typically machined from metal plate stock 10 or polymeric block stock 20 that need to be machined at various angles over various surfaces to achieve desired configurations. It is very common to mill or grind several cuts at a ninety degree angle (square) to the clamped surface or to mill or grind a cut at a ninety degree angle (square) to the horizontal surface. It is common knowledge and practice to mill square cut in blocks 30 to achieve various configurations and shapes. In order to mill or grind at a precise ninety degrees angle to the clamped surface, or to mill or grind at a right angle to the horizontal (vertical) surface, the current practice requires that a practitioner employ a series of clamps and blocks for positioning and securing the block stock 30. The block stock 30 must first be secured within machining vice 32 to support the work piece 30 in a certain position against the mill cutting head (not shown). A typical machining vice for use with the present invention is the Kurt cold rolled steel vise (case hardened at 60 degrees C.) manufactured by Kurt Manufacturing Company of Minneapolis, Minn. If the work-piece is too small for the vise to adequately secure the small work-piece, a set of parallels can be used with the vice and work-piece.

As depicted in FIG. 1, the practitioner's current practice is to employ a vertically moveable quill 46 mounted with a dial indicator 48 to verify that the side (or sides) of a mounted block stock 30 are appropriately straight and aligned with the vertical axis of the assembly in accordance with the required specifications. The quill 46 is moved up and down across either one 50 or both sides and the dial indicator is maintained within a defined specification. If the block stock or work-piece 30, whether a metallic work-piece 10 or a polymeric work-piece 20 is not properly aligned, the clamps and positioning blocks must be loosened and the re-positioned and secured. Then measurement with the moveable quill 46 with dial indicator 48 is performed again. This process of repositioning and measuring is repeated as necessary to achieve required configuration. In the final position, the block stock 30 is secured in alignment to a mill/cutting/machine head that cuts along a squared horizontal or vertical surface on the block stock 30. One of the disadvantages of using the quill 46 with the dial indicator 48 method is that it becomes increasingly difficult to achieve a high degree of precision when measuring substantially short or small pieces. After a first surface is machined, the work piece 30, and any clamp and block components employed must be loosened, reposition, re-secured and clamped in the machining vice. The process of alignment, measuring, and re-securing/clamping may be repeated several times, depending on the complexity of the milling process. The process can be tedious and cumbersome, result in longer production times, increase the expense of manufacturing parts, and potentially affects the overall quality.

As shown in FIG. 2, the present invention is mounted using a pair of mounting holes 53 for securing to the present invention 7 and a standard jaw 31 to a typical machining vice 32. As shown, the standard 31 jaw is used in the moveable/adjustable support 36. It is anticipated by the Applicant that the present invention 7 can alternately be mounted to the moveable support 36. The width 60 of the present invention 7, as shown, is approximately the same width of the machining vice support 36. However, it is contemplated by the Applicant that widths greater or shorter may be used. The present invention 7 and the standard jaw 31 are designed to fully engage base 37 of vice 32 such that the top edge of the present invention 7 and standard jaw 31 is parallel to the base 37. The height 62 of the present invention 7 generally extends above the top of vice support 34 from a range of 0.001″ to 1.0″, with a preferred range of 0.125″ to 0.25″. However, the height 62 of the present invention 7 can extend several inches above the vices base support 34 as determined by various applications and strength (e.g. thickness 61 of the present invention) considerations. In general, the present invention pertains to a tooling apparatus 7 that facilitates the positioning of a work piece in a particular angular configuration with respect to a longitudinal axis of the vice 32 horizontal surface for precision squaring of work-pieces 30.

Now referring to FIGS. 2, 3, 4 and 5, the present invention squaring and aligning (tooling) apparatus 7 comprises a substantially rectangular body 25 having a squaring and alignment step 22 embedded along the inner surface 64 of the apparatus 7. A vertical inner edge 55 is an important component of the alignment step 22. The vertical inner surface 55 is ninety degrees perpendicular to the horizontal axis of the base 37 and functions to engage one side of a work piece 10, 20, 30 for precise alignment to cut, drill or perform a machining operation on the top surface of the work piece 10, 20, 30. In another embodiment, the present invention tooling apparatus 7 comprises a substantially rectangular body 25 having a plurality of squaring and alignment steps 52 embedded along the along inner surfaces 64, 66, and 68 of the apparatus 7. The inner surfaces 64, 66, and 68 have corresponding vertical inner edges 55, 57 and 59. The apparatus body 25 can be manufactured from a variety of metallic or polymeric materials. Candidates include a group of metal consisting of aluminum and aluminum alloys, steel, stainless steels, steel and stainless steel alloys, and brass and brass alloys. Candidates consist from a group of polymers including thermosetting and thermoform polymers, such as acrylics, polycarbonates, and high density polyethylene. The hardness and durability of the material chosen for fabrication of the present invention can be adjusted for any particular application. For example, polymeric and softer materials may be used to align and square less dense materials.

Shown in FIG. 3 is the present invention aligning apparatus 7 comprising a substantially rectangular body 25 having a squaring and alignment step 22 embedded the along right inner side (the front surface that is designed to not be engaged with the fixed support 34 of the vice 32). The squaring and alignment step 22 has a height 62 that when mounted, extends approximately 0.125 to 0.25″ above the top surface of the fixed support 34 of vice 32. The top surface 42 of the present invention is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the base 37 of vice 32. An inner surface 64 is embedded into the substantially rectangular body 25 has an vertical inner edge 55 that is ninety degrees vertical to the horizontal axis. The squaring and aligning step 22 also has a fixed depth embedded within the body. A plurality of mounting holes 53 is located along the length 60 of the present invention body 25. In operation, the vertical inside edge 55 provides a means for engaging and supporting one side of a work-piece (10, 20, 30) that is ninety degrees square to the horizontal axis (e.g. base 37 of vice 32). The block must be held to engage, in flush alignment, the vertical inside edge 55 which provides support in achieving a substantially ninety degree (square) machine cut or drilling operation in the work piece 10, 20, 30. The tooling apparatus 7 has the function to facilitate the mounting of work pieces in a machining vice 32 for performing precise milling, grinding, or drilling operations, that are ninety degrees perpendicular to the horizontal axis of a machining vice 32.

Shown in FIG. 4 is the present invention aligning apparatus 7 comprising a substantially rectangular body 25 having a squaring and alignment step 22 embedded the along left inner side (the front surface that is designed to not be engaged with the fixed support 34 of the vice 32). The squaring and alignment step 22 has a height 62 that when mounted, extends approximately 0.125 to 0.25″ above the top surface of the fixed support 34 of vice 32. The top surface 42 of the present invention is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the base 37 of vice 32. An inner surface 64 is embedded into the substantially rectangular body 25 has an vertical inner edge 55 that is ninety degrees vertical to the horizontal axis. The squaring and aligning step 22 also has a fixed depth embedded within the body. A plurality of mounting holes 53 is located along the length 60 of the present invention body 25. In operation, the vertical inside edge 55 provides a means for engaging and supporting one side of a work-piece (10, 20, 30) that is ninety degrees square to the horizontal axis (e.g. base 37 of vice 32). The configuration in FIG. 4 has the same operational features as described in FIG. 3.

Shown in FIG. 5 is the present invention aligning apparatus 7 comprising a substantially rectangular body 25 having a squaring and alignment step 22 embedded the along both the right and left inner sides (the front surface that is designed to not be engaged with the fixed support 34 of the vice 32). The squaring and alignment step 22 has a height 62 that when mounted, extends approximately 0.125 to 0.25″ above the top surface of the fixed support 34 of vice 32. The top surface 42 of the present invention is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the base 37 of vice 32. An inner surface 64 is embedded into the substantially rectangular body 25 has an vertical inner edge 55 that is ninety degrees vertical to the horizontal axis. The squaring and aligning step 22 also has a fixed depth embedded within the body. A plurality of mounting holes 53 is located along the length 60 of the present invention body 25. In operation, the vertical inside edge 55 provides a means for engaging and supporting one side of a work-piece (10, 20, 30) that is ninety degrees square to the horizontal axis (e.g. base 37 of vice 32). The configuration in FIG. 5 has the same operational features as described in FIG. 3.

As shown in FIG. 6, another embodiment of the squaring and aligning apparatus 7 has a plurality of steps 52 that are arranged to be a fixed or variable distance, D-1, D-2, and D-3. Each step has an inboard vertical edge 55, 57, 59. This distance D1, D2 or D3 can be changed or adjusted to accommodate short or long blocks. Furthermore, it is not necessary that each distance be equal between the different steps. The plane surfaces 64, 66 and 68 must be parallel to the horizontal axis of the vice. Each vertical inside edge 55, 57, 59 is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vice and ninety degrees vertical to the horizontal axis.

In operation, the vertical inside surfaces 55, 57, or 59 provide a means for engaging and supporting one side of a manufactured block at ninety degrees square to the horizontal axis. The block must engage and be held in flush alignment with one of the vertical inside surfaces 55, 57, 59 which provides support in achieving a substantially ninety degree (square) machining cut in a work piece. The tooling apparatus 7 haves the function to facilitate the mounting of work pieces in a vice for performing precision milling or grinding cuts ninety degrees perpendicular to the longitudinal or horizontal axis of a machining vice 32.

FIG. 7 is a front view of the present invention 7 and shows the substantially vertical inside steps 55, 57, 59. Also shown are mounting holes 53 which cooperate with a screw of bolt assembly to mount the tooling apparatus 7 in a typical machining vice 32. When mounted in a typical machining vise, the vertical inside edge 55, 57, 59 is aligned to have its axis ninety degrees vertical to the horizontal axis of the base 37 of the vice 32.

FIG. 8 is an end view of the present invention 7. In this representation, it can be seen that the depth of the innermost step is approximately halfway though the body thickness 61 of the tooling apparatus 7. It is contemplated by the Applicant that the depth of the innermost step, which corresponds to the number of steps and the total depth of each step, can be have any total depth as long at is does not compromise the integrity of the tooling apparatus 7 in actual practice. 

1. A tooling apparatus for facilitating the positioning of a work piece in a particular angular configuration with respect to a longitudinal axis of the securing surface, said apparatus comprising: A substantially rectangular body having a one or more steps embedded along the portion of an inner surface, said substantially rectangular body comprising a metallic material; said one or more steps, each step has an inside edge which is ninety degrees from the horizontal edge of a base of a machining vice, said inside edge having a depth; said tooling apparatus having the function to facilitate the mounting of work pieces in a vice for performing precision milling or drilling operations of work-pieces ninety degrees perpendicular to the horizontal axis of said vice.
 2. The tooling apparatus as recited in claim 1, said substantially rectangular body is manufactured from a metallic materials from a class consisting of steels and steel alloys, aluminum and aluminum alloys, brass and brass alloys, and any combination of the class materials.
 3. The tooling apparatus as recited in claim 1, said having a plurality of orifices extending through one side of said rectangular body for the purpose of receiving one or more bolt, screws or other such object for securing the tooling apparatus to a surface on a vice.
 4. The tooling apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said one or more steps arranged to be a specified distance between each step, said distance between each step ranges between one quarter of an inch to four inches.
 5. The tooling apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said inside edge depth ranges from one eighth of an inch to three inches.
 6. The tooling apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said series of steps is one or greater.
 7. A tooling apparatus for facilitating the positioning of a work piece in a particular angular configuration with respect to a longitudinal axis of the securing surface, said apparatus comprising: a substantially rectangular body having one or more steps embedded along the entire length of an inner surface, said rectangular body comprising a metallic material; one or more steps including an alignment edge having a depth for each distance between each step; said tooling apparatus having the function to facilitate the mounting of work pieces in a vice for performing precision milling, grinding cuts, or drilling operations ninety degrees perpendicular to the horizontal axis of said vice.
 8. The tooling apparatus as recited in claim 7, said substantially rectangular body is manufactured from a metallic materials from a class consisting of steels and steel alloys, aluminum and aluminum alloys, brass and brass alloys, and any combination of the class materials.
 9. The tooling apparatus as recited in claim 7, said having a plurality of orifices extending through one side of said rectangular body for the purpose of receiving one or more bolt, screws or other such object for securing the tooling apparatus to a surface on a vice.
 10. The tooling apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said one or more steps arranged to have a specified distance between each step, said distance between each step ranges between one quarter of an inch to four inches.
 11. The tooling apparatus as recited in claim 7, wherein said alignment edge has a depth that ranges from one eighth of an inch to three inches.
 12. A tooling apparatus for facilitating the positioning of a work piece in a particular angular configuration with respect to a longitudinal axis of the securing surface, said apparatus comprising: a substantially rectangular body having a series of steps embedded along the portion of an inner surface, said substantially rectangular body comprising a polymeric material; one or more steps, each step has an inside edge which is ninety degrees from the horizontal edge of a base of a machining vice, said inside edge having a depth; said tooling apparatus having the function to facilitate the mounting of work pieces in a vice for performing precision milling of work-pieces ninety degrees perpendicular to the horizontal axis of said vice.
 13. The tooling apparatus as recited in claim 12, said rectangular body is manufactured from a polymeric material from a class consisting of polyethylene, polypropylene, polycarbonate, Teflon, and any combination of the class materials.
 14. The tooling apparatus as recited in claim 12, said having a plurality of orifices extending through one side of said rectangular body for the purpose of receiving one or more bolt, screws or other such object for securing the tooling apparatus to a surface on a vice.
 15. The tooling apparatus as recited in claim 12 wherein said one or more steps arranged to have a specified distance between each step, said distance between each step ranges between one quarter of an inch to four inches.
 16. The tooling apparatus as recited in claim 12, wherein said inboard edge has range from one eighth of an inch to three inches.
 17. A tooling apparatus for facilitating the positioning of a work piece in a particular angular configuration with respect to a longitudinal axis of the securing surface, said apparatus comprising: a rectangular body having a series of steps embedded along the entire length of an inner surface, said rectangular body comprising a polymeric material; said series of steps arranged to be a distance between each step; said series of steps including an alignment edge having a depth for each distance between each step; said tooling apparatus having the function to facilitate the mounting of work pieces in a vice for performing precision milling, grinding cuts or drilling operations ninety degrees perpendicular to the horizontal axis of said vice.
 18. The tooling apparatus as recited in claim 17, said rectangular body is manufactured from a polymeric material from a class consisting of polyethylene, polypropylene, polycarbonate, Teflon, and any combination of the class materials.
 19. The tooling apparatus as recited in claim 17, said having a plurality of orifices extending through one side of said rectangular body for the purpose of receiving one or more bolt, screws or other such object for securing the tooling apparatus to a surface on a vice.
 20. The tooling apparatus as recited in claim 17 wherein said one or more steps arranged to have a specified distance between each step, said distance between each step ranges between one quarter of an inch to four inches.
 21. The tooling apparatus as recited in claim 17, wherein said fixed cut depths ranges from one eighth of an inch to three inches.
 22. A method of performing precision milling operations of a work-piece comprising the steps: mounting an aligning and squaring apparatus to a support of a machining vise, said aligning and squaring apparatus having a straight edge that is ninety degrees perpendicular to the horizontal axis of said vice; engaging one side of a work-piece to said straight edge, said work-piece having a non-engaged top edge; securing said work-piece between said aligning and squaring apparatus and a standard jaw of said vise while said work-piece is maintained in engagement with said straight edge, said work-piece extending a distance above said aligning and squaring apparatus and jaw of said vise; performing a precision milling operation on said top edge of said work-pieces ninety degrees perpendicular to the horizontal axis of said vice.
 23. A method of performing precision milling operations of a work-piece comprising the steps: mounting an aligning and squaring apparatus to a support of a machining vise, said aligning and squaring apparatus having a straight edge that is ninety degrees perpendicular to the horizontal axis of said vice; engaging one side of a work-piece to said straight edge, said work-piece having a non-engaged top edge; securing said work-piece between said aligning and squaring apparatus and a standard jaw of said vise while said work-piece is maintained in engagement with said straight edge, said work-piece extending a distance above said aligning and squaring apparatus and jaw of said vise; performing a precision drilling operation on said top edge of said work-pieces ninety degrees perpendicular to the horizontal axis of said vice. 